This is the owl I was chasing near Fring, mentioned in my last post. The picture was taken from a good 50-60 yards away, using full magnification, and I brought it closer again by cropping. Surprisingly sharp.

Spent much of Saturday watching rugby union, but in the evening – it being Valentine’s Day – Dot and I went for a meal at 18 Bedford Street. This was about as good as it gets. We started with what they amusingly call an “Amuse Bush” (some mishtake, surely?) of oysters on ice. Neither of us had had oysters before, but we both enjoyed them, and all the other courses were brilliant too. At the end the owner asked us if it was all right. I said it wasn’t all right: it was absolutely outstanding, and so were the staff. He gave us free liqueurs! Last year’s Valentine’s Day meal (at St Benedict’s Restaurant) was brilliant, but this was even better.

Yesterday was the blessing of Beatrice, Ruth and Steve’s baby, at St Augustine’s. Large congregation, of course, and a good time was had by all. In the evening I went to the Ambient Wonder planning event, mainly because Heather had practically pleaded with me in the morning. Dot wasn’t feeling too well, so I made her stay at home. Only five of us at AW, but we got something planned on the theme of Wilderness.

Today I’ve picked up Sandra’s painting, for which I am writing a poem, and it is now hanging in the living room. I am a little frightened of going anywhere near it. Dot is writing her inspection report. The weather is milder at last.